Abstract
This study investigates the empirical presence of a theoretical transportation paradox, defined as the “Online Information Paradox” (OIP). The paradox suggests that, for certain road networks, the provision of online information deteriorate travel conditions for all users of that network relative to the situation where no online information is provided to users. The analytical presence of the paradox was derived for a specific network structure by using two equilibrium models, the first being the Expected User Equilibrium (EUE) solution (no information scenario) and the other being the User Equilibrium with Recourse (UER) solution (with information scenario). An incentivised computerised route choice game was designed using the concepts of experimental economics and administered in a controlled laboratory environment to investigate the physical presence of the paradox. Aggregate statistics of path flows and Total System Travel Costs (TSTC) were used to compare the experimental results with the theoretical findings. A total of 12 groups of 12 participants completed the experiment and the OIP and the occurrence of the OIP being significant was observed in 11 of the 12 cases. Though information increased travel costs for users on average, it reduced the volatility of travel costs experienced in the no information scenario indicating that information can achieve a more reliable system. Further replications of similar experiments and more importantly field based identification of the phenomena will force transport professionals to be aware of the emergence of the paradox. In addition, studies such as this emphasise the need for the adoption of adaptive traffic assignment techniques to appropriately model the acquisition of information on a road network.
Highlights
Traffic congestion is a problem affecting most metropolitan areas throughout the world resulting in significant economic, social and environmental costs
This study investigates the empirical presence of a theoretical transportation paradox, defined as the “Online Information Paradox” (OIP)
Each round of the computerized route choice game provided a traffic assignment pattern (1 observation) which could be compared with the theoretical equilibrium results
Summary
Traffic congestion is a problem affecting most metropolitan areas throughout the world resulting in significant economic, social and environmental costs. An initial solution to the problem was investing in the construction of transport infrastructure, to provide increased capacity within the network, providing users additional routes to travel to their destinations. Braess in 1968 analytically presented that the construction of an additional link, which connects two alternative routes between an origin and destination pair, may increase the travel cost for all users of the network [1]. Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATIS) have been implemented to provide travellers with information about network conditions. The intention of these systems is to reduce the uncertainties of travel and as a result improve decision making by the user, benefitting the user as well as the system as a whole. Travellers can be informed of disruptions on the road network; those affected by the disruption may decide to alter their route choice, saving time at an individual level, potentially leading to a positive system wide impact
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